After the tremendous success of Baldur's Gate 3, the studio that takes on the development of Baldur's Gate 4 will have a significant legacy to uphold. From its origins with BioWare to the new heights achieved by Larian Studios, player expectations have grown considerably since the franchise began. Fortunately, Larian Studios has established a solid foundation to ensure the series evolves successfully. Its numerous patches, engaging social media presence, and commitment to transparency during the creation of Baldur's Gate 3 highlight the importance Larian places on player feedback and reception.
The last major game update, Baldur’s Gate 3’s Patch 8 introduced a wealth of content for fans to enjoy. From new subclasses to quality-of-life improvements, this final major update gave players plenty of reasons to dive back into the game. However, long before this patch arrived, one feature truly stood out and defined the game's post-launch life. This addition was well-received all around, no matter one’s in-game moral choices or favorite companion. While preferences for specific subclasses may vary depending on playstyle, and bug fixes are often situational, there is one feature that is undeniably essential for the future of the Baldur’s Gate franchise: mod support.
Baldur’s Gate 3: 10 Best Mods for a New Playthrough
From new gear to fresh subclasses, these mods transform BG3 into a whole new adventure.
Mod Support is a Non-Negotiable Feature for Baldur’s Gate 4
Modding has shaped the way that modern game fandom interacts with an IP. Modders contribute their two cents to a game’s code, personalizing their gaming experience in more ways than ever before. And AAA titles receive the modding treatment at a remarkable rate in the industry. From Skyrim and Oblivion to Minecraft, the libraries of fan-made content are never-ending. Many players of titles like The Sims consider mods an essential part of the gameplay, while others claim that a majority of games are simply made better by mods.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is no different from any other popular game with an active modding community. Nexus Mods houses thousands of mods for BG3 made by fans dedicated to either enhancing Larian’s magnum opus or adding a dose of weird fun to it. Acknowledging this fact, Larian Studios opened the world of modding to console players by providing official mod management tools for Baldur’s Gate 3. What was once a “nice to have” addition has quickly become a non-negotiable for a game of Baldur’s Gate 3’s caliber.
Baldur’s Gate 4 Needs Mod Management Tools
If Baldur’s Gate 4 follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, developers need to offer players a sprawling action-adventure epic that provides them with the same depth of choice and consequence. Moreover, it needs to officially bless the tools that will help gamers make their playthroughs their own.
Baldur’s Gate 4 should not be a whole new chapter in the franchise in many ways—from the characters it honors to the strategy gameplay it employs. In this sense, it should also incorporate the now-legacy tool introduced by Larian Studios in Baldur’s Gate 3. Even if not a day-one feature, developers should certainly keep modding tools in mind when planning post-launch roadmaps.
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The Importance of Mods In Baldur’s Gate's Legacy
While Patch 8 was released earlier this year, and no other major update is planned for the game, there’s no better time to be a Baldur’s Gate 3 fan. Fans still flock to marathon the game, take on the challenge of Honour Mode, create fan art, share headcannons and memes on social media, and flood con floors with cosplays and genuine appreciation for what Baldur’s Gate 3 offers them in the gaming sphere. If fans play a crucial role in sustaining the game, then the next studio that takes over the franchise should respect the love fans have poured into its legacy. A way to accomplish this is by granting them the tools to play a part in the stories they have grown fond of.
Modding is a huge part of this ongoing love. The ability to create alternate narratives, expand romance options, add class tweaks, or change party limits has given BG3 a second wind. Even those who’ve already completed multiple playthroughs find themselves returning with a fresh install list and brand-new character concepts. Mods have kept the world of Faerun dynamic and evolving, long after Larian’s final patch notes were published. And crucially, official modding support has helped make these expansions accessible, stable, and visible.
Fans Write Love Letters to Games Like Baldur’s Gate 3 Via Mods
The modding tools Larian rolled out didn’t just empower players. They validated them. The studio’s recognition of how much the community shapes the player experience made Baldur’s Gate 3 feel collaborative, even in the smallest ways. By implementing official mod tools, Larian Studios enabled creators to connect with more players, contributing to the fandom feedback loop that continues to this day. This attitude of co-creation is something that any developer stepping into the franchise’s future needs to embrace. And genuinely, some mods make Baldur’s Gate 3 better.
That isn’t to say Baldur’s Gate 4 needs to mimic Baldur’s Gate 3 in every aspect. Innovation is part of what brought the franchise to new heights in the first place. However, leaving modding tools behind would be a step backward, not just in terms of features, but also in philosophy. As the gaming industry continues to navigate shifting expectations around community involvement and post-launch support, one thing is clear: players want to leave their mark. Whether that’s through story choices, romance paths, or user-created content, Baldur’s Gate 4 needs to honor that impulse. And thanks to Larian, the bar for what that looks like is higher than ever. Mod support isn't a bonus in the modern gaming landscape. It's part of a game’s legacy.
Baldur's Gate 3
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 96 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- Engine
- Divinity 4.0
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Full cross-platform play.
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
